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Arsene Wenger "surprised" Rafael Benitez accepted Chelsea job

Wenger
© PA Photos
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that he is shocked that Rafael Benitez has agreed to take on the Chelsea job on a temporary basis.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed his shock in Chelsea's appointment of new boss Rafael Benitez.

The former Liverpool coach has replaced Roberto Di Matteo, who was sacked by the club yesterday, on an interim deal that is expected to take the Spaniard to the end of the season.

"It is a surprise because Rafael Benitez is a guy who has a record," London24 quotes Wenger as saying. "He is a manager of stature and it is a surprise he is appointed for such a short time. I am surprised as well he accepted that."

Meanwhile, reports have claimed that ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, who is currently on a year's sabbatical, has agreed in principle to take on the Blues role in the summer.

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Rafa Benitez in 2010
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Arsenal19116238172139
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford197393335-224
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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